Property Damage News 05/28/2023

(May 25) Douglas Church Square fires intentionally set, police say; Suspect arrested | Douglas, AR

Douglas Police Department says investigators have determined the fires that damaged two historic churches Monday and early Tuesday were intentionally set.

According to police, investigators identified Eric Ridenour, 58, as a person of interest, and the Douglas Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined probable cause to execute a search warrant in Ridenour's home outside Douglas.

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(May 25) Great Night of Music to Help Atlanta Texas Church Damaged by Recent Storms | Atlanta, TX

The large oak tree fell onto the roof of Law’s Chapel Methodist Church located at 4065 FM 2328. As the parishioners try to repair their church, they are having a fundraiser to help with expenses.

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(May 24) Teens Accused of Vandalizing Historic Black Church Twice | Marshall, VA

Teenage vandals targeted a historic African American church in Virginia twice over the weekend, ransacking and spray-painting the church and a schoolhouse.

Deacon Mike Lewis, who went to classes in the one-room schoolhouse as a child, discovered the vandalism inside First Asheville Baptist Church in Marshall on Saturday.

Church documents kept in a storage room and desk were scattered around. Messages, pentagrams and the vandals’ names were spray-painted on the walls.

The vandals trashed the kitchen, dumping spices, cornstarch and flour. They lit matches, but the gas to the stove was disconnected.

The sanctuary mostly was spared, but church offices were coated in fire extinguisher spray.

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(May 24) Recalled Dehumidifier Caused $1M Church Fire, Insurer Says | PA

Pennsylvania church's insurer sued Electrolux on Wednesday to recover more than $1 million it spent to cover damage to the church from an April 2022 fire that the insurer alleged was started by a recalled dehumidifier.

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(May 19) New Port Richey Man Caught Vandalizing Church Property, Affidavit Says | New Port Richey, FL

A 52-year-old man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly vandalized part of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Pasco County, an affidavit said.

According to New Port Richey police, a witness saw Thomas Alan Byrne of New Port Richey remove and break light bulbs inside an enclosed structure where a statue of Mary is located in front of the church at 5340 High Street in New Port Richey.

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